Washing machine



April 7 J. T. LANGSTON 3,505,836

WASHING MACHINE I Filed April 1, 1968 CONTROLS INVENTOR.

JOHN T LANGSTQN A TTORNE Y5.

ELECTRICAL EO United States Patent 3,505,836 WASHING MACHINE John T. Langston, Edwards Road, Taylors, S.C. 29687 Filed Apr. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 717,808 Int. Cl. D06f 37/10 US. Cl. 68-210 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic clothes washing machine having a rectangular housing with an opening in a vertical wall thereof for receiving clothes and the like. A chute having a wall extending upwardly and outwardly from a bottom portion is joined to the vertical wall of the washing machine below the opening and extends upwardly therefrom. The chute is also joined 'by side portions to the vertical wall of the washing machine substantially laterally of the opening. A hinged door is carried by the side wall above the chute and extends across the chute for closing the top of such when in a down position. The chute is designed for receiving a substantial portion of excess suds formed in the washing machine during the washing operation so as to avoid suds lock. An electric switch is carried on the outer extremity of the chute for preventing the operation of the washing machine when opened, as a result of raising the door.

This invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a loading chute provided on a front vertical wall of the washing machine which is adapted to receive suds from the washing machine during the washing action so as to prevent suds lock.

One of the problems encountered in automatic washing machines is that frequently the suds created during the agitation of the clothes and the detergent builds up to a level within the washing machine to interfere with the washing action. A common misconception is that the cleaning action of the detergent used in the washing machine is dependent upon the amount of suds created during the washing operation. Such fallacy is not true in that the detergent which has dissolved in the washing fluid is the most effective component in cleaning the clothes, while the suds have a lesser effect. In fact, when the suds build-up is excessive instead of aiding in cleaning the clothes such hinders the cleaning operation. Such a condition is generally referred to as suds lock.

A washing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention minimizes the above-mentioned problems by positioning an enlarged chute on the side wall of the washing machine which encompasses an opening in the side wall. The sides of the chute extend substantially laterally beyond the opening in the side wall of the washing machine and well above the water level so that during the washing operation the suds generated can flow freely out of the opening into the upwardly extending chute. A door is carried on the top wall of the chute and extends outwardly from the side of the washing machine for preventing the suds and fluid of the washing machine from splashing out of the chute during the washing operation.

It is well known to provide loading chutes on washing machines and the like, however, normally such were relatively small and are not positioned on the side wall of the washing machine for receiving excessive suds from a side loading door so as to minimize suds loc which interferes with the cleaning operation.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a washing machine with an enlarged chute which extends substantially laterally and 3,505,836 Patented Apr. 14, 1970 ice outwardly from the loading door for receiving excessive suds from the washing machine during the washing operation and for aiding in loading the clothes therein.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a suds receiving and loading chute on a washing machine which has a door thereon, preventing suds from splashing out of the chute during the washing operation and cooperates with the electrical controls for the washing machine for stopping the washing machine motor when open.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and where- FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view illustrating the washing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of a washing machine provided with a chute constructed in accordance with the present invention, and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of electrical controls for the washing machine.

The drawing illustrates an automatic clothes washing machine provided with a chute A opening at the top for the insertion of clothes therein. The chute A is constructed of imperforated material, such as stainless steel, and has a wall extending outwardly and upwardly from a bottom portion joined to the vertical wall below an opening in the housing of the washing machine to an upper portion substantially above the center of the opening. The chute Wall A is also joined at the side portions to the vertical wall substantially laterally of the opening. The chute tapers upwardly and outwardly at said side portion substantially across a vertical wall of the housing. A hinged imperforated door B is carried by the wall above the chute and extends substantially horizontally across the chute top when closed. The chute defines a receptacle for receiving a substantial portion of excessive suds formed during the washing operation so as to minimize suds lock. An electric switch is carried on the outer extremity of the chute and is actuated responsive to opening the door for stopping the washing machine. This is to prevent the suds from splashing out of the chute upon opening the door.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the washing machine shown is a commercial coin operated machine having a slot 10 for depositing a coin into the machine. The housing for the washing machine includes vertical side walls 11 and 12, respectively, which are joined by a vertical front Wall 13 and rear wall 14. A horizontal top 15 joins the side Walls 11 and 12 with the front wall 13 and extends rearwardly from the front wall 13 to a raised housing 16 which accommodates the coin slot 10 and the various conventional controls for operating the washing machine.

A cylindrical drum 17 is rotatably carried within the housing and is driven by a conventional AC. motor illustrated schematically by the reference character 18. The motor is connected to an AC. source 19 through the electrical controls shown schematically by the box 20, and a series switch 21 which is carried on the outer extremity of the chute. Access to the drum is provided through a circular opening 22 provided in the front wall 13 of the housing. Normally, during the washing operation the water level within the drum is maintained slightly below the opening 22.

A chute A aids in loading clothes through the opening 22 into the drum and is provided for receiving excessive suds which are produced during the washing operation. As previously mentioned, by allowing the excessive suds developed within the Washing drum 17 to escape therefrom, such avoids suds lock. Moreover, the large chute A minimizes the overflowing of suds from the washing machine during the washing operation. The chute A has a front Wall 23 which extends upwardly and outwardly from a bottom portion joined to the vertical front wall 13 to an upper portion or rim 24 substantially above the opening 22. Side portions 25 of the chute join the vertical front wall 13 substantially laterally of the opening 22. As can be seen, the chute tapers upwardly and outwardly at the side portions substantially across the vertical wall 13.

A hinged imperforated door B is connected by a piano hinge 26 to the front 'wall 13 substantially above the opening 22 and extends substantially horizontally across the top of the chute when closed.

The top may be constructed of any suitable material, such as glass, and has a rubber gasket 27 extending about the outer perimeter thereof for cooperating with a gasket 28 carried on the upper portion '24 of the chute for substantially sealing the chute when such is closed. When the chute is in an opened position flexible metal clamps 29 carried on the vertical wall 13 of the housing are provided for holding such in a raised position.

The electrical switch 21 is mounted adjacent the outer perimeter of the chute so that when the chute is closed a protruding member 30 carried by a handle 31 provided on the top engages the switch to close such. The switch 21 is connected in series with the electrical controls for the washing machine and the motor for allowing current to flow thereto when closed.

In order that the chute A be of sufficient size to receive the excessive suds from the washing machine, in one particular embodiment the width of the chute adjacent the hinge 26 is 25% inches, while the distance from the hinge to the outer perimeter of the top adjacent the handle 31 is 11% inches. The drum for this particular model is 25 inches in diameter and the circular opening 22 leading into the drum is 11 /2 inches in diameter. The distance from where the bottom edge of the drum joins the wall 13 to the hinge is 14 /2 inches.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:-

1. For use in an automatic clothes washing machine driven by an electric motor and having a rectangular housing with an opening in a vertical wall thereof, the improvement including,

(A) a chute opening at the top for the insertion of clothes therein,

(B) said chute being constructed of material,

(C) said chute having a wall extending outwardly and upwardly from a bottom portion joined to the vertical wall below said opening to an upper portion substantially above the center of said opening,

(D) said chute wall also being joined at side portions to the vertical wall substantially laterally of the opening,

(E) said chute tapering upwardly and outwardly at said side portions substantially across said vertical wall,

(F) a hinged imperforate door carried by said wall above said chute extending substantially horizontally across said chute top when closed thereon,

(G) said chute defining a receptacle for receiving a substantial portion of suds formed during the washing operation so as to minimize suds lock, and

(H) an electric switch carried on the outer extremity of said chute actuated responsive to closing of the door for starting the washing machine motor.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1,

(A) wherein said door is transparent, and

(B) including spaced resilient clamps carried by the housing above said chute for maintaining the door in vertical position when open for the reception of clothes.

imperforate References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,904,897 9/1959 Whyte et a1 68-210 XR 3,408,835 11/1968 McMillan 134-58 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 841,570 5/1939 France. 329,854 9/ 1935 Italy.

ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 68208 

